agazine
December 09, 2021 - December 15, 2021
Houston’s Premiere Weekly Publication, Since 1989
Volume 32 | Number 50
Complimentary
Jesse Jackson
Should Parents Be Held Accountable for Kids?
CRYSTALES
TAKING CHANCING TO BRING THE FUNNY
DOJ Sues Texas
Redistricting Maps Discriminate Against Minorities
Written By Jo-Carolyn Goode
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COMMENTARY
SHOULD WE HOLD PARENTS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TERRORIST ACTS OF THEIR CHILDREN?
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By Jesse Jackson, National Political Writer
hen Ethan Crumbley, a troubled 15-year-old, shot and killed four students at Oxford High School, in Oxford, Michigan, he was charged with terrorism and murder. In a virtually unprecedented step, the prosecutor, Karen McDonald, also indicted Crumbley's parents for involuntary manslaughter, arguing that they should have known their son was a danger to his school and should have revealed that he had access to a handgun that was an early Christmas gift from his parents, and stored in an unlocked locker in their bedroom. Just days after the school shooting, Rep. Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, posted a family photo with each member of his seven-person family brandishing a rifle, with a caption ending in " P.S. Santa, please bring ammo." The congressman assumed that celebrating Christmas - literally the mass celebrating the birth of Christ - by this macho display would surely bolster his political prospects. The Michigan indictments challenge what has become a gun-slinging culture. We've gone from a constitutional amendment that protected the right of an "organized militia" to bear arms to a gun lobby push to dismantle any limits on gun ownership, assert the right to flash weapons of war openly on the nation's streets, and the right to secret carry as well. Children are being raised in homes like Massie's where guns are not simply owned to hunt animals but collected and stored and celebrated as protection against the "other." The Oxford attack was the deadliest U.S. school shooting since May 18 when eight students and two teachers were shot at the Santa Fe High School in Texas. According to CNN, there have been 48 shootings this year on K-12
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campuses, 32 of them since August. Should we hold parents responsible for the terrorist acts of their children? Kyle Rittenhouse, 17, carried an AR-15 with 30 rounds - a weapon of war - to the protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin, that arose after a white police officer shot and paralyzed Jacob Blake, a Black man, without being held responsible. Rittenhouse shot three people and killed two. He was carrying a gun purchased for him by a 20-year-old friend. His mother, a single mother struggling to raise three children, took her son to a bar, where he was photographed with members of the rightwing Proud Boys organization. Despite internet reports to the contrary, she apparently didn't know that her son had gone to Kenosha. Gregory McMichael enlisted his 35-year-old son, Travis McMichael, to hunt down and murder Ahmaud Arbery for the crime of jogging through their neighborhood while Black. The father wasn't a constraint on the son; he was the instigator of the chase. But, of course, Travis, at 35, was an adult able to make his own decisions. In the Oxford case, the prosecutor moved to indict the parents because "the facts of this case are so egregious." Ethan's parents were called urgently to the school when one of his teachers found an alarming note he had drawn, scrawled with images of a gun, a person who had been shot, a laughing emoji and the words "Blood everywhere" and "The thoughts won't stop. Help me." His parents dismissed any concern that their son might be a danger to his classmates. They did not reveal that he had access to a gun that they had just given him. They refused to take him out of school for the day. They didn't ask their son if he had the gun on him and didn't
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bother to search his backpack. A few hours later he took his gun from that backpack and started shooting. I have no idea if the parent's will be found guilty. Michigan has no law requiring that guns be stored safely locked and with ammunition separated from the weapons. A jury will sort the facts out. What I do know is that homes are where values are forged. Children are not born to be racist. They are taught those values. The children of Southern plantation owners weren't born to assume that children with dark skin were less than human. They had to be taught those values and the behavior that those values rationalized. Children who assume guns can be the answer to their pain, aren't born with that assumption. The culture - and most of all the lessons they learn at home - teach them those values. We need to challenge the celebration of vigilantes and gun slinging, the laws that allow people to march with weapons of war down the streets of our communities, and the culture that worships guns even in the hands of children. The unspeakable deaths of children won't stop unless we crack down on those responsible for providing them with guns - whether by commission or by negligence. That's true in our cities, where gangs, guns and drugs make simply going to school a life-and-death risk. It is true in rural communities and affluent suburbs where alienated or troubled children - often acting alone not in a gang - have easy access to guns that should not be allowed outside a battlefield. Sensible gun laws can help. Communities can mobilize to teach. Most of all, however, we need parents and families to teach values and reinforce behavior that challenges the gun-slinger culture. We started with a romantic image of
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President Joe Biden
a man teaching his son how to hunt and shoot a deer with a rifle. We've ended with legislators sending out Christmas cards displaying their whole family armed with everything from assault weapons to shotguns. And with a troubled 15-year-old with a handgun holding 30 rounds killing two and wounding seven of his classmates. This murderous culture cannot be allowed to fester. And parents - whether held criminally responsible if an act of terror is committed or not - are responsible for the example they set and for what they teach their children at home. jjackson@rainbowpush.org. Follow him on Twitter @RevJJackson
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December 09, 2021 - December 15, 2021
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COMMENTARY
RIGHT WING JUDGES PUT MILLIONS’ RIGHTS AND ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE AT RISK
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By Ben Jealous, National Political Writer
he political and legal movement to criminalize abortion in the U.S. is on the brink of its biggest victory in 50 years. Most at risk are those who are already among the most vulnerable in our country: Black and brown women and LGBTQ people who will be denied access to potentially lifesaving health care. On Dec. 1, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in the case of a Mississippi abortion ban. That law was written by a right-wing legal group. It was part of a long-term strategy to get the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 ruling that recognized that pregnant people have a constitutional right to make decisions about whether or not to terminate a pregnancy. Groups that want to eliminate access to abortion like to describe themselves with terms like “pro-life” and “pro-family,” but those are deceptive. If we eliminate access to family planning and abortion services, the health of millions will be compromised. Some will die needlessly. Their families and communities will suffer. The same groups call themselves “pro-freedom,” but they are aggressively trying to restrict people’s freedom to make decisions about their own health and families. If you want a sense of how much parents’ and children’s health and well-being mean to backers of the abortion ban, take a look at Mississippi. When the state’s previous governor signed the ban, he declared that he wanted to make Mississippi “the safest place in America for an unborn child.” The current governor has used similar language, saying he made a commit-
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ment to God and to voters that he would do everything in his power to make Mississippi the safest place for an unborn child. But what kind of commitments have these politicians made to children and their parents? When the Mississippi law was signed, the state ranked 50th in the health of women, 50th in the health of children, and 50th in the health of infants. It was the worst state for infant mortality. Things haven’t changed much since then. Mississippi is also the state where Black people make up the biggest percentage of the population. During oral arguments at the Supreme Court, the attorney for the health clinic that challenged the law talked about a deadly reality: she noted that “it’s 75 times more dangerous to give birth in Mississippi than it is to have a pre-viability abortion. And those risks are disproportionately threatening the lives of women of color.” This is about political power and the corruption of our courts. When Donald Trump ran for president, he promised conservative white evangelical leaders that he would put judges on the Supreme Court who would overturn Roe v. Wade. Don’t ever forget that Senate Republicans refused to even consider President Barack Obama’s last Supreme Court nomination for a year. They abused their power to create a Supreme Court vacancy for Trump to fill. Then these same shameless politicians took advantage of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death to rush Trump’s final nominee onto the Court a few days before the 2020 election -- as voters were already casting ballots to dump
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Ben Jealous, serves as president of People For the American Way.
Trump out of the White House. And don’t ever forget that the judges who are willing to sacrifice reproductive freedom are usually just as eager to allow states to restrict voting rights. The right-wing judges who vote to eliminate individuals’ right to privacy and health care are often the same judges creating new “rights” to protect corporations’ ability to buy elections, get away with harming workers and communities, and discriminate against some of their employees. Like the right-wing campaign to restrict voting, the campaign to eliminate access to safe and legal abortion has built power through organizing at the state and national levels. We who believe in freedom must
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do the same. Among the activists and protesters who gathered outside the Supreme Court on Dec. 1 was a group of interfaith leaders who provided the moral clarity and urgency that the progressive movement needs to more effectively defend our freedom and our families.
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December 09, 2021 - December 15, 2021
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STATE: DOJ SUES TEXAS, GOP APPROVED REDISTRICTING MAPS DISCRIMINATE AGAINST LATINOS AND BLACKS PEOPLE By Tierney Sneed and Christina Carrega - www.CNN.com
Why the new Texas congressional map raises eyebrows (Screenshot image)
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he Justice Department filed a lawsuit Monday challenging legislative maps adopted by Texas Republicans in recent weeks that it says fail to recognize growth in the Latino population and discriminate against Black voters. The lawsuit alleges that the redistricting plan drawn by Texas lawmakers violates the Voting Rights Act. "The complaint we filed today alleges that Texas has violated Section Two by creating redistricting plans that deny or bridge the rights of Latino and Black voters to vote on account of their race, color or membership in a language-minority group," Attorney General Merrick Garland said at a news conference. The lawsuit targets both the US congressional map drawn for the next decade of elections and the plan for the state House. "The Legislature refused to recognize the State's growing minority electorate,"
the lawsuit states. "Although the Texas Congressional delegation expanded from 36 to 38 seats, Texas designed the two new seats to have Anglo voting majorities." After the 2020 census, Texas was awarded two additional seats in the US House of Representatives. The population growth that created the new seats was propelled by minority communities, with people of color making up 95% of the growth, according to census data. "However, Texas has designed both of those new seats to have White voting majorities," said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. "Instead, our investigation determined that Texas' redistricting plans will dilute the increased minority voting strength that should have developed from these significant demographic shifts." It is the second voting rights-related lawsuit the Biden administration has filed against the state this year. The Justice Depart-
ment has also challenged restrictive voting measures passed by the legislature earlier this year. The new lawsuit alleges that in drawing the US congressional map, Texas "intentionally eliminated a Latino electoral opportunity in Congressional District 23, a West Texas district where courts had identified Voting Rights Act violations during the previous two redistricting cycles." According to the lawsuit, Texas "failed to draw a seat encompassing the growing Latino electorate in Harris County" and "excised minority communities from the core of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex." "Texas also eliminated Latino electoral opportunities in the State House plan through manipulation or outright elimination of districts where Latino communities previously had elected their preferred candidates," says the lawsuit, filed in the Western District of Texas.
Texas is already facing several private lawsuits challenging its new maps, which were signed into law in October by Gov. Greg Abbott after the GOP-controlled Legislature approved them. Aspokesperson for Texas Secretary of State John Scott, who is a defendant in the lawsuit, declined to comment. In a tweet, the office of Attorney General Ken Paxton called the lawsuit "absurd" and said it was the "Biden Administration's latest ploy to control Texas voters." "I am confident that our legislature's redistricting decisions will be proven lawful, and this preposterous attempt to sway democracy will fail," the attorney general's office said.
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TECH: MOREHOUSE ALUM RECEIVE $1M FROM GOOGLE.ORG TO TACKLE THE DIVERSITY GAP IN TECH By Samantha Dorisca - www.AfroTech.com
Non-profit founders Morehouse College alumni and Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc. Ernest Holmes and brother Travis Thompson (Photo: AfroTech.com)
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onprofit CodeHouse has received $1 million in funding from Google.org to continue its mission to combat the diversity gap in technology. Morehouse College alumni and Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc. brothers Ernest Holmes and Tavis Thompson founded the 501(c)(3) nonprofit to encourage Black and Latinx students to pursue careers in STEM. Honoring its commitment, CodeHouse has launched various Tech Exposure days to provide educational resources to high schoolers. It also recently launched the CodeHouse Scholars Initiative in March 2021. Through the newly launched four-year program, students receive mentorship, networking opportunities,
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and technical training, alongside the scholarship. The opportunities afforded to students will fulfill the nonprofit’s goal to strengthen and diversify the pipeline between minority students and industry-leading companies, according to the nonprofit’s website. “As a Morehouse College graduate and current Google software engineer, securing this funding from Google. org means the world,” co-founder and president of CodeHouse, Holmes, said in a statement to AfroTech. “Not only does this grant help CodeHouse support even more HBCU students throughout their tech journeys, but it also reaffirms that my employer is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in the industry. To
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find synergies like these between your personal and professional endeavors is truly what it’s all about.” How CodeHouse Plans To Use Google’s Funding With Google’s donation, the nonprofit will expand its CodeHouse Scholars Initiative to provide resources and opportunities for underrepresented students pursuing a career in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. In addition, the company plans to broaden its scope of influence across Washington, D.C., and North Carolina over the next two years. “As the tech industry continues
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to work towards improving diverse representation across the board, there’s no better time than now to inspire young people of color to pursue careers in STEM,” said Holmes. “Thanks to this funding from Google.org, we’ll be able to expand CodeHouse’s reach to thousands more HBCU students over the next two years and help our future leaders of tomorrow realize their dreams. We can’t wait to get started.”
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OBITUARY: REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF ERIC HOFFMAN LAWSON By www.StyleMagazine.com
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Photos: Courtesy of Melanie Lawson
ld Born in St. Louis on July 15, 1959, Eric Hoffman Lawson is the third child and only son of Audrey Hoffman Lawson and William Alexander Lawson. While Eric was a toddler, his parents and eleven others founded Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in the family living room. Like his siblings, young Eric was baptized by his father and began a lifelong membership at Wheeler Avenue. He was a member of the Chapel Choir, Communications Corps, and Boy Scout Troup 242, becoming an Eagle Scout at the age of fourteen.
After graduating from Yates in 1977, Eric journeyed to Washington, DC to attend Howard University on scholarship, majoring in Business Administration. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree, Cum Laude, in Marketing from Texas Southern University, and, subsequently, received a Master of Education degree in Educational Administration from Prairie View University, Summa Cum Laude. Eric was passionate about Special Education services. Although Eric achieved leadership roles in education admin-
istration as a Resource Teacher, Special Education Administrator and Assistant Principal, his true commitment was student motivation. For thirty years -- on the campuses of Blackshear Elementary, B. C. Elmore, Ryan Middle, William A. Lawson Institute and Worthing High Schools -- Eric did everything from parent conferences to managing daily operations to attain realistic objectives that complied with
state mandates. Eric's health issues and his desire to spend more time with his now-widowed Dad led him to retire early. He was incredibly loyal and thoughtful towards his friends and family, sharing food, fun and ideas to solve world problems. Last month, Eric invited his Dad, his best friend, to a breakfast called "Men's Day." On November 24, 2021, Eric joined his mother, Mrs. Audrey Hoffman Lawson, in eternal rest in the arms of the God he worshiped. Left to cherish his memory are his father, Reverend William Alexander Lawson; his sisters, Melanie Cerise Lawson, Cheryl Grace Lawson and Roxanne Lawson; his brothers-in-law, Thomas Robert Carter and John F. Guess; nieces Raven Justine Troup and Robyn Nicole Troup; her husband, Alex Koby, and their sons, Amadeus and Ronin; other family members, his extended Wheeler Avenue family, former students, co-workers and friends. Published by Houston Chronicle on Dec. 5, 2021.
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December 09, 2021 - December 15, 2021
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CRYSTALES
TAKING CHANCING TO BRING THE FUNNY By Jo-Carolyn Goode, Managing Editor - www.StyleMagazine.com
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Crystal Holmes-Montgomery also known as CryTales
ow amazing would it be if you could see yourself the way God sees you? This became a repetitious prayer for Crystal Holmes-Montgomery. When she couldn't see herself as God did it made her view narrow and not able to the full picture. For the longest time it seemed God had been sending her a message to add another dimension to herself. Crystal has a gift to make others laugh. Not just a, "girl you funny," kind of laughter but a fall out your chair, split your pants, and pee a little kind of funny. She has been like that all of her life and is often told that she missed her calling to be a comedian. Despite the nudge of God and the validation from others, Crystal has never given the idea any serious thought until now. Crystal aka CrysTales is finally taking chancing to bring the funny. God really showed His sense of humor to Crystal one night while out with friends. She and her crew had just attended the James Harden Women's Brunch when Crystal gets introduced to entrepreneur, actress, and stand up comedian B Simone. With the introduction Crystal's friend added, "I don't vouch for many people but the girl is funny as hell." Upon that recommendation B.Simone turns to Crystal to offer her a chance of a lifetime to be the opening act for her upcoming show at the Baltimore Comedy Factory in Baltimore, Maryland. Say what now? Crystal thought
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no way was B. Simone serious and kind of laughed it off. Only B. Simone was not joking. She had four shows and wanted Crystal to do a ten minute opening act set without having ever heard Crystal tell one joke or see her perform. God was telling Crystal, "My child I see bigger things for you." "When you write the blueprint for your life," Crystal wrote in Facebook post, "make sure to include the curves and detours." Being a comedian was not on her radar at all. The Houston native is a Prairie View A&M graduate with a background in biology. After graduation, she studied the beauty industry and earned her cosmetology license with a specialty in eyebrows. The entrepreneur mastered her skillet, developed her own product - ARCHnointed Brow Serum, opened a luxury salon, and grew her fan base. The ilashalot empire was on fire. Right as she was coasting the curve of comedy hit. "Exceed your own expectations right outside of your comfort level. This is where the magic happens," Crystal wrote on her Facebook wall. Like a wave of a wand with the magic word "abracadabra," Crystal had her first professional comedy gig for not just one show but four shows over two days. She might not have taken full advantage of the opportunity if it were not for two of the most import-
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ant people in her life that are always watching. Daily Crystal preaches to her two sons, Carson and Cullen, to go after whatever their minds can imagine so how could she preach that to them and not walk the walk herself? She couldn't. "I don't think I am a comedian. I think that I am funny. I have funny situations that happen in my life." Crystal continued, "I don't intend to make people laugh. I am not telling jokes really. I am just telling stories about my life and people laugh about it." Crystal spoke with Houston Style just a few weeks before her comedic debut. She had yet to figure out a plan for her show. Although she knows she didn't want to make it too structure or seemed rehearsed. Being her authentic self and telling her real life stories is what makes her funny and others laugh. Stepping always to settle her thoughts were her boys. The eldest advised his mom to not try to be a comedian but to just be her. His advice was followed with daily affirmations of encouragement that she could do this and the warning to not talk about him in her show. While the youngest knew gave her a composition notebook that he called her new "funny book" for her to write out her thoughts and jokes. He also requested to not be the subject of her show. The gestures of love were just what Crystal needed.
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She took the stage in Baltimore and they weren't ready. She killed it! Over the next few months God continued to show Crystal that bigger picture He saw blowing her mind along the way as she went from that initial show to being a book and busy comedian. She began rubbing elbows with others in the industry when she got the ultimate stamp of approval from comedy star Earthquake when he officially welcomed her into the comedy dome. "I am humble, grateful and ready to take this comedy to the next level," said Crystal. The next level for Crystal is her first comedy tour happening this month. Under her new minted management company and stage name, ijokealot comedy for one night only presents CrysTales "Miss ijokealot" on the first stop of her debut tour on December 30, 2021 in Jasper, Texas with DJ Hollywood. "I am giving the people what they want and I hope y'all come and see your girl in rare form." Crystal laughed as she joked, "I need all the free laughs I can get." (I can vouch for her too. She will have you cracking up.) Keep up with comedy career of CrysTales aka "Miss ijokealot" on her IG page @ijokealotcomedy. May her life inspire you to see yourself as God does and take more chances in life.
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December 09, 2021 - December 15, 2021
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LOCAL: OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCE COMPLETION OF CLEBURNE STREET CONSTRUCTION By StyleMagazine.com
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Commissioner Rodney Eliting the need for safe, quality lis, left, with Houston Mayor roads in underserved communiSylvester Turner and Texas ties, Harris County Commissioner Southern University President Rodney Ellis, Houston Mayor SylvesDr. Lesia L. Crumpton-Young ter Turner and Texas Southern Unilooking on, outlines the recently versity President Dr. Lesia L. Crumpcompleted $12 million constructon-Young officially celebrated the tion project on Cleburne Street near TSU. The work is part of a completion of a $12 million construc$43.1 million investment made by tion project on Cleburne Street that inHarris County Precinct One and cludes a shared-use path on both sides the City of Houston to repair five for pedestrians and cyclists. streets around TSU and UniverAlso, they announced the upsity of Houston. coming start of Phase II of the TSU Photos: Courtesy of project that involves improvements Texas Southern University to Blodgett, Rosewood and Tierwester streets. The work is part of a $43.1 million investment made by Harris County Precinct One and the City of Houston to repair five streets around TSU and University of Houston. “Every community should have safer streets with bike lanes, PHASE 1 - UNDER CLEB CONSTRUCTION sidewalks and better lighting,” ComURN E ST missioner Rodney Ellis said Monday at a news conference at TSU. “This inCLEBURNE ST vestment in road reconstruction in our CLEBURNE ST University Corridor will continue to improve safety and accessibility for all WHE ELE R ST users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, WHEELER ST motorists and transit riders.” SEGMENT C Of the $43.1 million project inTSU CAMPUS volving streets near TSU and UH, PreROSEWOOD ST cinct One invested $38 million (88%) and the city spent $5 million (12%). Mayor Turner, who thanked Commissioner Ellis for the repairs in SEGMENT A the Houston city limits, BLODGETT ST said the construction near TSU and UH is what Third Ward residents identified as part of the “action plan” thing I said is: ‘Look at the beauti- Commissioner Ellis said. “I love the Houston,” Mayor Turner said. “And for his Complete Communities initiaful road on Cleburne Street,’ ” Pres- campus that they have in the neighbor- what benefits Texas Southern and tive. ident Crumpton-Young said. “That hood. Madame President and students, University of Houston benefits all of “Every community deserves to was the very first image that I had of the mayor and I wanted to put up trees Houston.” be a safe and attractive place to work, Said Commissioner Ellis: campus. Someone quickly said, ‘That so that they were large enough so that the play, study and worship,” Mayor TurnBLODGETT, TIERWESTER & ROSEWOOD trees will give you a canopy around this “None ST of this could have beenCLARK possi-CONDON was Commissioner Ellis whoPHASE had the TSU MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION 2 IMPROVEMENTS OVERALL VISION er said. “Complete CommunitiesHARRIS is myCOUNTY, PRECINCT 1 | UPIN:19101MF0Y501 | 10.07.2020 dream to improve our roads.’ And then university while he and I could still climb ble without the partnership of the City initiative to encourage and support eqof Houston and the two universities. they said: ‘It could not be done with- them.” uitable economic development in unThe work on Cleburne between This is an example of how local govout his partnership with good Mayor der-resourced neighborhoods and, at Ennis and Scott started in February 2020 ernments and universities can achieve Turner.’ ” the same time, keep affordable housIn addition to the two-lane and was completed in September. In ad- more by working together and levering in the community and improve the concrete street and shared-use path, dition to Phase II near TSU, the other aging our resources to better serve the quality of life for residents.” the Cleburne work includes $2.8 mil- University Corridor work includes a $19 community.” TSU President Crumplion spent on landscaping and im- million investment in similar improveton-Young, who has been in her poproved street and pedestrian lighting. ments to Cullen Boulevard between For more information visit: sition for five months, said an era of The work also entailed improving North MacGregor Way and Interstate 45 transformation was reinforced the first drainage and planting more than 240 near UH. day she drove to the campus. “The work benefits all Houstotrees. “You may not know this, “Mayor, I happen to spend a nians because, quite frankly, what beneCommissioner Ellis, but the first lot of time over at Rice University,” fits Third Ward – the Tre – benefits all of n
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LOCAL: COMCAST'S AND SERJOBS ANNOUNCE TECHNICAL SKILLS TRAINING PARTNERSHIP AND $30,000 DONATION By www.StyleMagazine.com
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omcast’s Internet Essentials program today announced the award of a $30,000 financial grant and donated 1,000 laptops to SERJobs, whose mission is to help individuals from low-income communities transform their lives through education, training, employment, and financial empowerment services. The grant and donation are part of a new partnership to fund technical skills training and readiness certifications for clients of SERJobs. This program will offer digital skills training opportunities, including Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, Excel and professional development. “SERJobs is excited to celebrate 10 years of Comcast's Internet Essentials program,” said Sheroo Mukhtiar, CEO, SERJobs. “The Workforce Development Rally highlights the importance of digital literacy in our increasingly virtual world—especially as technology and the needs of our economy evolve. We are grateful to Comcast for their ongoing partnership and support of SERJobs’ and our members.” The announcement is part of Project UP, Comcast’s comprehensive initiative to advance digital equity and help build a future of unlimited possibilities; and coincides with the 10th anniversary of its Internet Essentials program, which has connected a cumulative total of more than 10 million people to the Internet at
Photos: Courtesy of Project UP & Comcast home – most for the very first time. Comcast’s expanded eligibility for Internet Essentials, now including all Federal Pell Grant recipients within its service area, will enable even more students to stay connected as they continue to pursue degrees at colleges, universities, and technical schools. “Ten years is a remarkable milestone, signifying an extraordinary amount of work and collaboration with our incredible community partners across Houston,” said Toni Beck, Vice President of External Affairs,
Comcast Houston. “Together, we have connected hundreds of thousands of people to the power of the Internet at home, and to the endless opportunity, education, growth, and discovery it provides. Our work is not done, and we are excited to partner with SERJobs to ensure the next generation of leaders in Houston are equipped with the technical training they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world.” Comcast’s top priorities are connecting people to the Internet at home, equipping safe spaces with free WiFi and working with a robust
network of nonprofit community organizations, city leaders, and business partners to create opportunities for low-income Americans. As the nation’s largest internet provider, Comcast supports cooperation between communities, businesses and non-profit organizations to enhance digital equity. Comcast’s $1 billion commitment will include investments in several critical areas, including: additional support for the Lift Zone initiative, which establishes free WiFi access in 50 community centers in Houston, and 1,000+ community centers nationwide, for students and adults by the end of 2021; new laptop and computer donations; over $100,000 in digital equity grants for local Houston nonprofit community organizations to create opportunities for low-income Houstonians – particularly in media, technology, and entrepreneurship; and continued investment in the company’s landmark Internet Essentials program.
For more information visit:
www.Comcast.com
LOCAL: FORT BEND COUNTY FORMS NEW COMMITTEE FOR DIVERSITY INITIATIVES
F
or t Bend Count y off icials are working to better engage with diverse communities after County Judge KP George announced the formation of the Fort Bend County Community Engagement Committee in a Nov. 30 press release. ”This Community Engagement Committee is the next step in building partnerships throughout the county with a group of engaged citizens helping to move us all forward,” George said. According to the release, the group met for the first time Nov. 29 to discuss a possible implementation of a community engagement plan. The committee’s 18 members consist of Farha Ahmad, Geetha Ravula, Gaurav Jhaveri, Maryum Khan, Terri Wang, William Starkweather, Manuela Arroyos, Haad Qamar, Ilene Harper, Charles Odion, John Kelly, Allen Bog-
By www.StyleMagazine.com - Newswire
Thurgood Marshall School of Law Student Bar Association
Fort Bend County is considered one of the most diverse communities in the U.S. with 20.9% of the county population consisting of Asian residents, according to 2020 U.S. census data. Additionally, 21.3% of the population was African American, and 24.9% of the county identified as Hispanic or Latino. "I am extremely encouraged with the new committee appointees, their diverse backgrounds and communities they represent,” George said.
For more information visit: Fort Bend Diversity Initiative Committee (Photo: Courtesy Fort Bend County) ard, Sonya Stevenson, Gretchen Odion, Lupe Uresti Cabello, Ranjit Pillai, Natalia Alanis and Marissa Ramirez. The committee’s main goal will
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be developing initiatives and strategies to help better engage with diverse communities within Fort Bend County, per the release.
www.FBCDiversityInitiative.com
December 09, 2021 - December 15, 2021
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LOCAL: MAYOR TURNER JOINS COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO HELP KEEP CHRISTMAS BRIGHT FOR THOUSANDS OF HOUSTON CHILDREN By www.StyleMagazine.com
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ayor Sylvester Turner joined with community partners to show appreciation and deliver some holiday cheer to a beloved figure in the Houston community. For more than 40 years, Richard Reyes has dressed up in a zoot suit and used a low rider sleigh in his role as Pancho Claus to deliver gifts and put smiles on children's faces each Christmas. This year, the pandemic and a decline in donations threatened to put a damper on his ability to reach as many children. After hearing about Pancho Claus' plight, Mayor Turner engaged community partners to raise funds and make a donation to keep the holidays merry and bright throughout the community. The mayor joined representatives from Disaster Recovery Services, DRC, to present a $10,000 check to Pancho Claus during Wednesday's city council meeting.
"We've seen him on television, in parades, but most importantly – in our neighborhoods. For four decades, he has worked tirelessly to ensure that kids in under-resourced and underserved neighborhoods have something special under the tree come Christmas morning," said Mayor Turner. "So much of his work relies on the gifts that come from other Houstonians. Without the generosity of the people of this wonderful city, Pancho Claus' efforts would not be nearly as effective." Joined by several supporters and members of LULAC, Pancho Claus thanked Mayor Turner and DRC.
"I thank all the people who made the donation possible. Pancho Claus is a spirit," said Reyes. "It is a movement of a lot of people in our community. And this check is going to enable us to keep going this year and reach out to communities that have the highest poverty rate in Texas, if not the nation." "DRC has been grateful to be a partner with the city over several years responding to natural disasters. We could think of no better way to give back to the community than by supporting someone like Pancho Claus. We appreciate this opportunity and thank you for what you are doing," said DRC Vice President Joe Newman.
"I encourage everyone who can to please support Pancho Claus or any other charity of their choosing," said Mayor Turner. "Let's keep the holiday spirit going as we make this and every year special for children and families in need.
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ENTERTAINMENT: RODEO REVEALS 2022 RODEOHOUSTON STAR ENTERTAINER GENRE CALENDAR By www.StyleMagazine.com
w
ith 13 country acts, the 2022 lineup will span a range of musical genres, including EDM, Latin pop R&B/ pop, Norteño, pop, rock, and the Rodeo’s first-ever Christian performance. “The 2022 RODEOHOUSTON lineup has something for everyone, and that’s important to us, as we are always hoping to draw newcomers to our event, and hopefully, create new lifelong Rodeo fans,” said Chris Boleman, Rodeo president and CEO. The Rodeo is less than one month away from announcing the full 2022 RODEOHOUSTON star entertainer lineup Wednesday, Jan. 5. Four Texas artists have already been announced, including Cody Johnson (Feb. 28), Bun B’s H-Town Takeover (March 11), Parker McCollum (March 12) and George Strait, with special guest Ashley McBryde (March 20).
For more information visit:
wwwRodeoHouston.com 14
December 09, 2021 - December 15, 2021
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LOCAL: MIDLAND NATIVE SERVES ABOARD USS ESSEX By Stephanie Fox, Navy Office of Community Outreach
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Airman Apprentice Olawale George attended University of Houston-Victoria. Today, George serves as a aviation support equipment technician. “Aviation support equipment technicians manage and maintain almost all support equipment necessary for the smooth running and repairs of the United States Navy's aircraft,” said George. George joined the Navy one year ago to serve the country. “I joined the Navy for the numerous benefits the military offers,” said George. "I also looked forward to the prestige of service to the country and myself. I also knew that joining the Navy would expose me to countries I never would have dreamed of visiting on my own." According to George, the values required to succeed in the military are similar to those found in Midland. "My hometown taught me that dedication and discipline will help you achieve your dreams," said George. Homeported in San Diego, California, USS Essex is the second ship in the Wasp-class of multipurpose amphibious assault ships and the fifth ship named for Essex County, Massachusetts. Essex was a 1000-ton ironclad river gunboat of the U.S. Army and later U.S. Navy during the American Civil War.
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ship.
According to Navy officials, amphibious assault ships are designed to deliver U.S. Marines and their equipment where they are needed to support a variety of missions ranging from amphibious assaults to humanitarian relief efforts. Designed to be versatile, the ship has the option of simultaneously using helicopters, Harrier jets, and Landing Craft Air Cushioned, as well as conventional landing craft and assault vehicles in various combinations. There are many opportunities for sailors to earn recognition in their command, community and careers while serving in the Navy. "My proudest Navy accomplishment is becoming shipboard qualified," said George. As a member of the U.S. Navy, George, as well as other sailors, know they are a part of a service tradition providing unforgettable experiences through leadership development, world affairs and humanitarian assistance. Their efforts will have a lasting effect around the globe and for generations of sailors who will follow. "Serving in the Navy means service to country and self," added George.
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Midland, Texas, native is serving aboard USS Essex, a U.S. Navy Wasp class amphibious assault
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December 09, 2021 - December 15, 2021
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CULTURE: COMMUNITY ARTIST COLLECTIVE CELEBRATING FOURTEEN YEARS OF ASHE HOLIDAY MARKET By Kathleen Colman, Arts & Entertainment Editor, www.StyleMagazine.com
Monae Jacobs, Sandi Patterson, Patrick Grady, and Shanequa Smith. (Photos: Kathleen Coleman)
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he Community Artists’ Collective kicks off its fourteenth Annual Ashé Holiday Market on December 10, 2021, at The Collective, 4101 San Jacinto, Suite 116. The market is part of The Collective's entrepreneurial program which allows the artists to show off their talents and skills. Creatives participating in the 2021 Ashe Holiday Market are Monae Jacobs, Sandi Patterson, Patrick Grady, Shanequa Smith. The market provides unique and original gifts
for visitors, such as hand-painted scarves, earrings, and one-of-a-kind three-dimensional works of art. Every other Thursday of the month activities is planned such as wreath making or creating art ornaments Special activities are planned for children and their families from 1 to 3 p.m. on the market’s last two days (December 30-31). After the first weekend, the Ashé Holiday Market will be open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 12 noon until 5 p.m. and
by appointment through Friday, December 31, 2021. For more information contact The Collective at 713-523-1616.
For more information visit:
www.TheCollective.org
CULINARY: FREEDMEN'S TOWN FARMERS MARKET By Alexandria Jack, Food Writer - www.StyleMagazine.com
Brotha Bakes
T
he one question I hear very often is, "How can we circulate the black dollar in our communities?" First of all, it's a conscious choice. Secondly, I am so glad to be alive in 2021 because for whatever you buy from the mainstream marketplace there is a black-owned version of it that is of better quality. Quality is the name of the game for many consumers. We no longer want factory farm beef or assembly line cookies; we crave the best. And the best we shall get! There are markets and grocers in Houston that provide products that are for us by us. Being that we have a massive impact on the U.S economy with reports saying that we spend as much as 300 billion dollars on goods and services. Studies also show that the black dollar stays in our community for 6 hours compared to other communities. Let's change that! It is now time to bring that money home! Once District 1960 Nightclub, District Market Green Grocer is one of the places that I would direct you to first. Opening up on Black Friday, owner Robert Thomas teamed up with many local black businesses to showcase amazing products. District market has a huge selection of products from grass-fed beef to washing powder. I promise you will walk out with something you need and want. From the way it is looking now
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Robert Thomas owner of District Market Green Grocer in the beginning stages, I know that District Market will be a competitor for big chain stores. The best part is that the quality of what you are getting there is unmatched. At District Market you will find products like grass-fed beef by Mark 61 Cattle Company, Daranne's Soul Rolls, Arousing Aromas 100% soy candles, Jeneral Soul Kitchen Sea Moss, Avocado Crack, Rooted Vegan Cuisine, fresh produce, and a juice bar. Thomas's vision of bringing accessibility to our community and beyond is here. Food insecurity and food desert is a term that is very important as we expand the black dollar. That is what inspired Sade Perkins to open up the Freedmen's Town Farmers Market located in the historical Forth Ward, one year ago. Bringing a selection of fresh produce and local artisan products, Freedmen's Town Farmers Market is much needed in this community. One of the most amazing features is that they accept SNAP/EBT benefits, which allow more people to have access to healthier and better-quality foods. At Freedmen's Town, you will find products like D.A.D's coffee, Hardy Farmz produce, Brotha Bakes cakes in a jar, Amoree's Cookies, Honey Man Mills Honey, Orijin Hibiscus Beverages, Fuller Blessing Teas, Belly of the Beast Bacon and so much more.
December 09, 2021 - December 15, 2021
Mark 61 Cattle Company
In Houston, we are still in the beginning phases of expanding the black marketplace, especially in the grocery scene. Not only is this amazing for the economy but also our health. Please support these
amazing venues that have the goal of supporting us. District Market Green Grocer is open Tuesday to Saturday 10 am-9p at 3337 Cypress Creek Parkway Houston, Tx 77068. Follow them on Instagram @ districtmarket_greengrocer to be up to date on current and new arrival products as they expand. Visit Freedmen's Town Farmers Market on Saturdays 9 am-2 pm at 1108 Victor Street Houston, TX 77019. Follow on Instagram for more info @freedmenstownfarmersmarket.
For more information visit:
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2021
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H Glitz and Glam Fundraiser - The Doll Foundation H
The Glitz and Glam event benefitting The Doll Foundation, which provide resources to caregivers and seniors in need of assistance. This year raising funds to send caregivers to CNA school. Jeezy & Doll Foundation Founder Qiana James featured stunning Diamante Luxury Costume Jewelry by Rosalina Tran Lydster, gorgeous fashion designs by Yliana Cruise Wear Collection and a special appearance by American rapper Jeezy who was in town to promote his NAUD FINE COGNAC & SPIRITS. This event was sponsored by Friendly Faces Senior Care which provides in home caregiving services to seniors.
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December 09, 2021 - December 15, 2021
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2021
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H Children’s Museum Houston Real Snow Days! H There’s 100-percent Chance of Snow at Children’s Museum Houston! Our weather forecast predicts it’s going to snow at the Museum. Mark your calendars because a winter wonderland is coming, and it’s all included with general admission! Dec. 18 to 29, 2021 (seven days of snow during Winter break). Come play with REAL snow all day in the Allen Family Courtyard.
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December 09, 2021 - December 15, 2021
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